Safety clothespin



Jan. 8 1924. 1,480,187

H. E. SOULARD SAFETY CLOTHES PIN Filed March 21. 1925 Patented Jan. 8, 1924.

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SAFETY CLOTHESPIN.

Application filed March 21, 1923. Serial No. 626,625.

To all whom it may Concern.

Be it known that I, HENRI EDMOND SOU- LARD, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at St. Ubalde, Portneuf County, Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Clothespins; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention pertains to a safety clothes pin and has for its object a device of this character adapted to engage a clothes F line in such a manner that it cannot accidentally be released therefrom.

To this end the device consists of a two branched yoke, to one of which branches is pivoted a locking finger. The finger slidably engages the other branch and is formed with an extension which is twisted in such a manner that it is adapted to straddle the latter branch. The extension terminates in an end portion which is returned in the direction of the finger proper and is adapted to engage the clothes line in either release or locking position. In release position the bifurcated portion is out of engagement with the branch. The line, in the release position of the device, is received between the latter branch and the end portion of the extension. The yoke is now pushed downwardly on the line whereupon the bifurcated portion engages the branch and the end of the extension turns in the direction of the patent. The line is thus surrounded by the branch, the coiled portion, the bifurcated portion, and the end of the extension.

The invention is fully described in the following description and in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device in release position;-

Figure 2 is a similar view of the device in looking position;

Figure 3 is an end view corresponding to Figure 1; and,

Figure 4: is an end view corresponding to- Figure 2.

In the above views in which like reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout, it will be seen that the device comprises a yoke having branches 1 and 2 extending from a loop 3. The end of the branch 1 is curled as at 4 to form an eye to which is connected a locking finger 5. The latter member is wound ATE'i; mice;

around the branch 2 as at 6 for sliding en- 7 gagement therewith and then bent downwardly in the form of an extension 7. The extension is twisted to form a bifurcated member 8 adapted to straddle the branch 2. The end 9 of the extension is returned in the direction of the branch 2 and crosses it when the portion 8 is free as in Figure 1. The branch 2 is longer than the branch 1 and is formed at its free end with a loop 10.

In use the finger 5 beforev the device is applied to the clothes line 11 is naturally in its lower position. It is prevented from sllpping off the branch 2 by means of the loop 10 which also prevents tearing of the clothes as the pin is applied. The device is now pushed downwardly upon the line by pressure on the loop 3, whereupon the finger turns on the eye 4 and is moved along the branch 2 in the direction of the loop. In this movement the bifurcated portion 8, straddles the branch 2, confining the line between it and the coiled portion 6. The end 9 during this movement is turned in the direction of the branch 1 and presses the line against the branch 2 through the spring action due to the twist at 7 and 8. This pressure is sufficient to retain the line so tightly between the branch 2 and end 9 that the frictional engagement does not allow dropping of the finger. When it is desired to remove the pin, the loop 10 and curled portion 6 may be taken between the thumb and forefinger and pressed together, returning the parts to the position shown in Figure 1.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood'that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. A clothes pin comprising a yoke having a pair of branches, a locking finger pivoted to one of said branches and coiled around the other, an extension from said coiled portion and formed with a bifurcated portionv adapted to straddle the last named branch, the end of said extension being bent at substantially right angles to the finger.

gagement With the other, an extension from the free end ofth e'finger, saidextension be ing adaptedfor straddling the last named branch, the end of the extension being-bent at substantially right angles to said branch, the branch along which -the finger is adapted to slide being longer than the other branch,

and forinedwith a loopat its free. end.

3: A'clQ'yhes pin comprising a yokeha'vi-ng a pair; of branches, a locking finger pivoted to one of said branches and coiled around the 7 other, an extension from said coiled; portion and formed with abifurcated portion adapted to straddle the last named branch, the endof said enteIlSiQnwbein-g bent at sub stantially right angles to the finger, the branchralon which the finger is adapted to slide being longer than the other branch andformed with-aloop at its free end.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

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